Impressions at Lung Shan ("Dragon Mountain") Temple

While in Taipei, we walked a bit until we came to the "Lung Shan Temple" which is one of the most famous temples in Taiwan. From blocks away you could see smoke billowing out of the courtyard, smoke from the sacrifices being made. We were curious so we went in for a bit. The place was expansive and there were many tables (perhaps 50) set up and filled with all kinds of fruits and other foods. People were everywhere carrying handfuls of lit incense sticks. This happened to be the week of the "Tomb Sweeping Festival" when people take special time to worship and honor their ancestors.

Inside the main temple building there was a procession of women all dressed in black genevas (preaching gowns) and chanting in unison.....very creepy. Everywhere there was fire and smoke and the noise from the chanting and clatter of all the poeple was deafening. We were not there long as we walked in one end and out the other end of the courtyard. While outside of the temple, Hannah suggested that we pray for the 100's of people inside "who do not know Jesus". We did just that.

Kevin Stellick

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